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SARAJEVO, December 11 (FENA) - Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina Marina Pendeš attended a meeting of defense ministers of the US-Adriatic Charter (A-5) held in Tirana, Albania, on the challenges in Southeast Europe, to illegal migration, terrorist threats, the return of fighters from foreign battlefields, and natural and similar disasters.
She stressed that neither the region nor the whole of Europe has a comprehensive and coherent policy or strategy to cope with the migrant crisis.
With regard to potential terrorist threats, she stressed that the response of the BiH institutions to this threat has been systematic, organized, comprehensive and adequate.
“In order to effectively prevent and adequately respond to these challenges, successful regional cooperation must involve the exchange of experience, knowledge and expertise, as well as training and joint action, which will be accompanied by appropriate transformation and adaptation of policies, strategies and structures,” stressed Pendeš.
The ministerial meeting covered the following topics: observer countries' perspectives in relation to the security environment in the region and their membership of the US-Adriatic Charter, security challenges of Southeast Europe, the future of the A-5 initiative and joint contribution to NATO operations and missions, and NATO's open doors policy.
Albanian Defense Minister Olta Xhaçka and US Assistant Secretary of Defense Laura Cooper addressed the participants at the opening of the meeting. The meeting concluded with the signing of a joint statement by the A5 member ministers of defense.
On the sidelines of the ministerial meeting, Minister Pendeš also held bilateral meetings with Albanian Defense Minister Olta Xhaçka and the US delegation, led by US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Laura Cooper.
The A-5 initiative was launched by Croatia, Albania, Macedonia and the US in 2003, and since 2008, BiH and Montenegro have been active participants.
The main objective of this initiative is to support the Euro-Atlantic processes in Southeast Europe, stated the Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
(FENA) S. R.
